Houston School Closures Threaten Community Spark Parks

Residents worry about losing green spaces as a dozen HISD campuses are set to close.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:48pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeated pattern of a children's swing set, conceptually representing the community impact of losing local park spaces.The potential loss of community Spark Parks threatens to deprive underserved Houston neighborhoods of their only nearby green spaces and playgrounds.Houston Today

As Houston Independent School District prepares to close a dozen campuses at the end of the school year, residents are raising concerns not just about the school closures, but the potential loss of community Spark Parks located on those school grounds. Five of the 12 closing schools have Spark Parks, which are designed for both students and the surrounding neighborhoods, but their future is uncertain once the schools shut down.

Why it matters

The Spark Parks provide crucial green spaces and recreational areas for many Houston neighborhoods that lack other nearby parks, especially for residents without easy access to transportation. The loss of these community assets could disproportionately impact lower-income areas already underserved by public resources.

The details

Once the schools close, the responsibility for maintaining the Spark Parks falls into question - HISD says it plans to work with partners, but residents worry the parks will fall into disrepair without dedicated oversight and funding. A cautionary tale is Dodson Elementary's Spark Park, which has become neglected and vandalized since the school's closure over a decade ago.

  • HISD plans to close a dozen campuses at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
  • Dodson Elementary School closed more than 10 years ago, and its Spark Park has since fallen into disrepair.

The players

Ed Pettitt

Vice president of the Greater Third Ward Super Neighborhood, who lives near several of the schools slated for closure.

Houston Independent School District (HISD)

The school district that oversees the Spark Parks and is planning to close a dozen campuses.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Neighborhoods like Magnolia Park, Third Ward, East End, Second Ward, they are the ones bearing the brunt of this. Many of these residents don't have cars to get to another park.”

— Ed Pettitt, Vice president, Greater Third Ward Super Neighborhood

“It's been broken into, all of the park's equipment was paid for with tax dollars, funding and donations has been stolen.”

— Ed Pettitt, Vice president, Greater Third Ward Super Neighborhood

What’s next

HISD says it plans to work with partners to 'thoughtfully plan for the future use of school facilities and surrounding spaces, including areas that serve as community parks.' Residents are urged to reach out to the HISD school board and city council members to advocate for keeping the Spark Parks open and maintained.

The takeaway

The potential loss of these community green spaces in underserved Houston neighborhoods highlights the broader challenge of preserving public resources and equitable access to recreational areas, especially as school districts face difficult decisions about campus closures.